According
to research, only one in four college students gets flu shots on a regular
basis. There are many reasons that could contribute to college students either
not wanting to get a flu shot or not even thinking about getting one in the
first place. I personally have chosen to get the flu shot the last three years,
but decided not to get it this year. My main reason for not continuing to get
the flu shot was because my chiropractor advised against it. Her reasoning was
that it is better to risk getting the flu than to weaken your immune system and
expose your body to foreign chemicals contained in the vaccine especially at
this age.
While away
at college, many college students simply do not think about going to get a flu
shot or do not have their parents there to influence them into getting one.
Another common reason why college age people decide against getting the flu
shot is because they have not been sick with the flu before, and for this
reason decide they do not really need a flu shot. Some say that they feel they
are at the least risk for getting the flu because of their age. The groups at
highest risk for the flu are young children and also older adults. Others
decide against the flu shot for financial reasons. The flu shot costs money
with or without insurance and for this reason many college students who are on
a low budget choose to use the money else ware instead of on getting a flu shot.
There are
many arguments for and against the flu shot, but the rate at which college
students typically get the flu shot will probably remain lower than the
remainder of the population for these reasons.
There are many different opinions on getting the flu shot and not
getting the flu shot, but in the end it comes down to the person’s personal
opinion on the vaccination.
